Soil samples should be taken from all fields to be planted in small grains, whether for
grain or grazing. Soil testing prior to planting aids in determining the amount and type of
fertilizer needed to produce a small grain crop. This practice may prevent excessive
expenditures where the soil fertility level is very high, and it ensures that the nutritional
needs of the crop are met.

Lime should be applied to maintain the soil pH at a target pH of 6.0. If the small grains
are to be grazed or if magnesium (Mg) levels are low, dolomitic lime (high Mg) should be
used. Adequate amounts of lime should be applied to the previous crop to assure that the
soil pH is in the desired range prior to planting small grains. However, if soils tests indicate
the need for lime, it should be applied as soon as possible in order to allow adequate time
for the soil pH change to occur (usually two to three months or more, depending on
fineness of grind).

The table below show the recommended rates of fertilizer N-P205-K20 to apply to small
grain, based on soil test levels:

Soil Test Rating for Potassium (K20)

Low

Medium

High

Very High

Low

*-80-80

*-80-40

*-80-0*

-80-0

Medium

*-40-80

*-40-40

*-40-0*

-40-0

High

*-0-80

*-0-40

*-0-0*

-0-0

Very High

*-0-80

*-0-40

*-0-0*

-0-0

*For small grain following a legume, apply 60-80 lb N/acre; for small grain following cotton, corn, etc., apply 80-100 lb N/acre; for small grain following grain sorghum, apply 100-120 lb N/acre. Apply 20-40 lb of recommended
N/acre in the fall and the remainder in February. For grazing, increase the total N fertilizer rate by 60 lb N/acre
and apply in two applications -- one-half in the fall and the remainder in midwinter.

Planting

Small grain seed should be planted in a well-prepared, firm, moist seedbed.
Moldboard plowing or chisel plowing is recommended in preference to disc harrowing. The
seed should be planted 1 to 1.5 inches deep. The proper planting date for small grain is
important for both grain and forage production. Some factors to consider in determining
the date for planting small grains include variety, geographic location, weather patterns,
soil moisture, and intended use of the crop. If irrigation is available, the planting date can
be more flexible. The following table shows recommended planting dates in Georgia:

Recommended Planting Dates

Coastal Plain

Piedmont

Limestone Valley

Crop

Grain

Grazing

Grain

Grazing

Grain

Grazing

Wheat

11/07* - 12/01

10/15

10/25 - 11/15

10/01

10/10 - 11/01

9/15

Oat

11/07 - 12/01

10/01

10/07 - 10/30

9/15

9/25 - 10/15

9/01

Barley

11/07 - 12/01

10/15

10/25 - 11/15

10/01

10/01 - 11/01

9/01

Triticale

11/15 - 12/15

-

- -

-

- -

-

Rye

11/07 - 12/01

10/15

10/07 - 11/15

10/01

10/01 - 10/20

9/01

*November 7 in the Upper Coastal Plain and November 15 in the Lower Coastal Plain.

Pest Control

Check with your county extension agent for the latest information on weed, disease,
and insect control in small grains.

Varieties

Select high-yielding, insect- and disease-resistant varieties for best results. In
selecting varieties, give careful consideration to the statistics (LSD) reported in the tables.
An explanation of their proper use is given in the preface to this report. The variety listed
at the top of the list may be only one of the best.

For late planting, the early-maturing varieties usually perform the best. Varieties
recommended for the 2002 planting season are presented in the table below.

To ensure good germination, the absence of noxious weeds, and varietal purity plant
certified, treated seed. General seeding rate recommendations based on bushels per
acre are provided in Table 1. Seed size varies greatly from year to year and among
varieties and seed lots. Therefore, more accurate plant populations may be achieved by
using seeding rates based on seeds per area rather than on bushels per acre. For
example, research on wheat has shown that seeding rates of 30-35 seeds per square foot
are best for top yields. Accurate target populations are best achieved by adjusting grain
drill settings based on number of seed per foot of row. Grain drill calibrations can be
accomplished quickly and accurately by counting seed collected from one or more rows
during travel over a specified distance and calculating the drill output as seeds per foot of
row. Table 2 is provided as a guide to establish target populations of the small grain crops
for popular row spacings. The figures in Table 2 are broadly based on the average number
of seeds per pound for the various crops but even more accurate calibrations can be
accomplished if the actual number of seeds per pound is known for the seed lot being
planted. At least one seed supplier in the Southeast now prints seed size information on
the bag. If seed size is known, Table 3 may more accurately predict seed requirements.

Table 1. Recommended Seeding Rates for 2002

Crop

Weight

Grain

Grazing

lb/bu

-----------bu/acre----------

Wheat

60

1.75-2.5

2.0-2.5

Oat

32

2.0

4.0

Barley

48

2.0-2.5

----

Rye

56

1.0-1.5

2.0-2.5

Triticale

48

1.5-2.0

2.0-2.5

Table 2. Example of seeding rate of different small grains.

Row Width (inches)

Crop

Seeding Rate

6

7

8

10

seeds/sq.ft.

lb/A1

bu/A1

----------- seed per foot of row -----------

Barley

19

72

1.5

10

11

13

16

25

96

2.0

13

15

17

21

32

120

2.5

16

19

21

27

Oat

19

64

2.0

10

11

13

16

24

80

2.5

12

14

16

20

28

96

3.0

14

16

19

23

38

128

4.0

19

22

25

32

Wheat

27

90

1.5

14

16

18

23

37

120

2.0

18

22

25

31

47

150

2.5

24

27

31

39

55

180

3.0

28

32

37

46

Rye

31

56

1.0

16

18

21

26

46

84

1.5

23

27

31

38

62

112

2.0

31

36

41

52

1. Estimates based on average seeds per pound of 11,500 for barley, 12,875 for oat, 13,250 for
wheat, and 24,000 for rye.Data compiled by J. L. Day, Georgia Station, Griffin, Georgia.